Michael Harcourt served as British Columbia's Premier (1991-1996), as Mayor of Vancouver (Three terms, 1980-1986), and as Vancouver Alderman (four terms, 1972-1980). Mr. Harcourt is Honorary Chair of the international Center for Sustainable Cities, and Co-Chair of the International Panel of Advisors. He works with the Rick Hansen Man in Motion Foundation on International Collaboration on repair Discoveries (I-CORD), and chairs the Spinal Cord Injury Quality of Life Advisory Group. He is an Honorary Member of the Canadian Institute of Planners and speaks and advises internationally on sustainability solutions.

Mr. Harcourt has served on the National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy, where he was on the Program. In May, 2003, he was appointed Federal Commissioner on the British Columbia Treaty Commission, In December 2003, he was appointed by Prime Minister Paul Martin to chair an External Advisory Committee on Cities and Communities, and in Fall 2004 was appointed Co-Chair of the UN-HABITAT World Urban Forum III Advisory Committee.

John Lekich is an award-winning freelance journalist and author who has covered everything from pop culture to medicine for over twenty years. Beginning his career as a regular freelancer for the Vancouver Sun and Vancouver Magazine, he spent the eighties as a regional arts correspondent for The Glove and Mail. His young adult novel The Losers' Club has been shortlisted for a dozen awards, including the Governor General's Award and the Young Adult Book of the Year by the American Library Association.